It Suits You is an Etsy store run by my friend’s mom. She makes some pretty unique stuff, but the thing that caught my eye? Stockings made out of old neckties. That’s right. Upcycled ties turned into useable Christmas stockings. Don’t believe me?

Love it. Absolutely love it. In fact, living in a house of all men, I think those ties would be quite appropriate for our little Christmas display. Maybe I should send her a bunch of ties with fire trucks and the like. (Pause while I form an idea in my head. Anyway…)

They look really cute hanging all together.

She currently has nine tie-stockings in stock as well as a tie purse (!) and a few tie wallets. (And some other bags. But we’re talking fancy-pants ties here!)

I am in love with this concept. Not only is it unique, fun, colorful and awesome, but it combines the “green” element that so many are striving for this holiday season. Instead of sending the ties to the landfill, they’re now transformed into something you can use. Not finding what your friends want on any green gift guides? This may be the answer, especially for eco-conscious families with children who may or may not be boys. The stockings themselves aren’t gender specific, but if there’s a little girl rocking a mean Princess streak, this may not be the best year to go hip and trendy.

Whatever the case, these one-of-a-kind stockings are only $27.00 and shipping is free. As an aside, the store owner lives in Ohio, so it would be a quick ship to any of my Ohio readers! Hooray for quick ship!

Unique Christmas Gift Idea: It Suits You Stockings is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Here are some ideas to keep in mind.

• Trick-or-treat in a group that contains a few adults. Even if your children are older, explain that their safety is more important than their social status. Offer to follow behind a little ways with a few adult friends. For younger children, the more parents the better. Keep an eye on each others’ children and offer to chase down the rambuncious three year old for a very pregnant friend. Safety in numbers!
• Masks are funny, but not good for walking. Avoid masks that cover the whole face. Even if they have proper eye holes and nose/mouth ventilation, it can still make it difficult for your child to see where he’s walking (think of all the downed leaves and sticks right now) and possibly impede his peipheral vision. If you already purchased your child’s mask, as him to carry it in his hand until he gets up to the door, putting it on to say, “Trick-or-treat!” Emergency room visits on Halloween are no fun.
• Tie up loose ends. Yes, your little princess is adorable in her long dress. And, yes, your little mummy looks frightfully adorable wrapped in ripped up sheets. But if the dress is too long, she can trip. And if someone steps on a loose piece of sheet, your mummy could go flying. Ditto all of this for shoe laces.
• Only trick-or-treat in well-lit areas. Kudos to the areas which have switched to day-time trick-or-treating. For those that push the sunset hour or fall after dark, make sure you are only gallavanting in areas that are well-lit. If you are going after dark, make sure to use reflective tape on the back of your child’s costume. No, I don’t care that it doesn’t match her princess dress color palette. You can also get a blinking light. Carry flashlights. See also the safety in numbers point if you’re traipsing around after dark.
• Check your child’s candy and make a no-eating-while-trick-or-treating rule. I know that everyone in your neighborhood is on the up and up and would never poison your child. However, it’s still better to check your child’s candy. More over, the no-eating-while-trick-or-treating rule comes in handy as it prevents choking on a piece of said candy and needing to find someone who knows the Heimlich maneuver. Also, checking your kids’ candy lets you spot the good stuff first. What?
• Put down the cell phone. No, really. Sure, you’re not driving. But there are bound to be 39859 kids walking around in costume. And lots of adults. And chances are you don’t know all of them. Keep an eye and a mind on your child while you’re out and about this Halloween. More over, staying off the cell phone will let you create memories that you actually remember.
• Have a meeting point if you get separated. Families can get separated even when parents are paying close attention. It happens. Create a meeting point like “the old lady’s house on the corner” if should happen. Make sure your kids know their address AND YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME. No, really. Mommy and Daddy don’t quite cut in when locating parents.

There are other things to remember as well. You know, things like don’t play with matches and what not. But those should go without saying.

One last tip that is less about safety and more about fun: Try to find your local firefighters. Our firefighters go out on the truck and hand out candy in different neighborhoods. Another local department parks on Main Street, handing out candy to those who pass by. Truth? They love your kids’ costumes. They do. Make their evening. Make your kids’ evening with some fire truck love, too. It’s a win for all!

And, by the way, if anyone has any advice as to how to convince our city that trick-or-treating should happen on Halloween, I’d be grateful. That said, Western PA is also known for its weird trick-or-treating nights, so I should be used to it. But dang it! Halloween is for trick-or-treating. Not a random late-October Thursday night! Humph.

Trick-or-Treating Safety is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

First up is A Small Christmas by Wong Herbert Yee (2004). If you’re familiar at all with Fireman Small and his various books, you might want to pick up this one.

Fireman Small is a small firefighter in a small fire house in a small town. He’s always rescuing something, helping someone or trying to sleep only to hear the alarm of another call. A Small Christmas is only different in the fact that the saving he is doing in this book has nothing to do with fire and everything to do with saving Christmas! At the beginning of the book, he’s busy helping the mayor pick a tree, driving it back on the top of his fire truck. The boys liked this illustration because it looks just like their Christmas sweaters. (I wonder if that’s where the designer of their sweaters got the idea?)

As the book goes on (32 pages, 4-6 lines of reading every other page), Fireman Small’s firehouse is visited by Santa and his reindeer. But Santa has already flown all over the world, delivering presents to all the good boys and girls. And he falls asleep in Fireman Small’s bed! To save Christmas, Fireman Small has to deliver the presents in the snow… on his fire truck, of course!

The boys think this book is rather funny. Why would Santa Claus be tired? Why did he get in the bed? Why wouldn’t the reindeer move? What would happen if the fire truck couldn’t go through the snow? Lots of questions were posed as we read through the book a second, third and fourth time. We’ve read it a lot this month, having been placed on the “favorites” rotation of Christmas books we have in our own library along with the others we got from the library.

I think this book would be a welcome Christmas addition to the library of any child who loves fire trucks. If you’re looking for a gift for a child in the age 4-8 range, or even a bit younger or older as LittleBrother (2) loves it as well, this might be a great book for you to pick up.

A Small Christmas is currently $6.95 at Amazon (12/15).

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[Disclaimer: The book is from the library. The links are Amazon Associates links.]

Fire Book Review: A Small Christmas is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

That’s right. The whole room was fully engulfed in less than 40 seconds. Do you know how scary that is? Think about how long 40 seconds is for just a moment. Is that enough time to round up your children and get out the door? What if you’re in the opposite corner of the house unloading the dryer or trying to find the presents you have hidden in your storage room? Could you get to your children and get out of your house in less than 40 seconds? That’s a scary thought, isn’t it?

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be the case. In short, “a wet tree is a safe tree.” The information from NIST is encouraging and informative. (They also have a comparative video on above link.) Here’s what their research concluded.

Wet trees tell a different story. For comparative purposes, the NIST researchers selected a green Scotch pine, had it cut in their presence, had an additional two inches cut from the trunk’s bottom, and placed the tree in a stand with at least a 7.6 liter water capacity. The researchers maintained the Scotch pine’s water on a daily basis. A single match could not ignite the tree. A second attempt in which an electric current ignited an entire matchbook failed to fire the tree. Finally they applied an open flame to the tree using a propane torch. The branches ignited briefly, but self-extinguished when the researchers removed the torch from the branches. Trees that have been watered properly, and maintain pliable, green needles are harder to ignite than dry trees with needles that break easily when bent and fall from the tree when the branches are shaken.

In short you need to cut your own tree from a tree farm. Do not purchase trees that are pre-cut from roadside stands. And you need to water it. Daily. If you’re going to grandma’s house for four days, don’t go with a real tree this year. Watering is insanely important.

As much as a dry, unmaintained tree can be a fire hazard, it’s not the only fire safety concern when it comes to the holiday season. The US Fire Association (USFA) has some important tips on keeping your family fire safe this year. Here are some very important things you need to do before you decorate or now if you’ve already decked your halls.

• Maintain your lights. Check for frayed wires, bare spots or other unsafe spots in your wiring.
• Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three strands. Check wires by touch; they should not be warm.
• Do not leave holiday lights unattended. I know they’re pretty but turn them off when you’re going to Christmas Eve service or dinner at grandma’s house.
• Use only nonflammable decorations. Keep all decorations away from heat vents.
• Never put wrapping paper in a fire place.
• Avoid using lit candles. Always extinguish them before you leave or sleep. Never put them on a tree. Never.

There are some other suggestions as well.

I share all of this information with you not to be a Scrooge. I love holiday decorations, lights and Christmas trees. As a sharing point, no, we don’t have a real tree in our house. When FireDad showed me these videos this past Friday night after getting home from a week at the Fire Academy for Fire Investigator education, I asked one simple question, “Is that why we don’t have a real tree.” His reply was in the affirmative, of course. I do share this information with you so that you are aware. It is possible to have a well-maintained, live Christmas tree and other safe decorations around your home. It is possible to have a fire safe holiday.

It would be in your best interest to go ahead and remind your children what to do if there is a fire, test your smoke alarms and practice fire safety this holiday season. You could be extra-dorky, like me, and attach these gift tags to any gifts you’re giving this season that will remind others to practice fire safety as well. They’re festive and they promote safety. Just like us. (But we don’t attach well to gifts. Go with the printable tags.)

Be fire safe this holiday season!

Fire Safety and the Holiday Season is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

I did, before pressing the confirm button, run down to Kmart, who also carries the bike, to see if they had it on sale. They did not. However, I am thankful that I took the time to run down there (especially as I’ve been getting crazy awesome deals there lately) because I got to see what the packaging of the box looked like. Unlike the tricycle which came in a cardboard box that simply read “Huffy” on the side, the bicycle was emblazoned with the characters, the bike itself, the clouds from Andy’s room and screamed, “I am going to ruin your Christmas surprise.”

I ordered it and figured it wouldn’t be a big deal. The UPS man usually delivers packages to our home during naptime. Occasionally he drops something off while we’re eating lunch. Either of these were acceptable options, even if it was lunchtime, as I would just take the package in through our lower door. But then my luck happened and the delivery was rescheduled for today. Not only did BigBrother have school today but we had plans and were going to be out and about. I knew that it would be delivered while we were out. I just knew it.

I was right.

We pulled down our lane which, thankfully, is a private, dead end lane. There are six houses total. As I edged the corner of the first house on the lane, I could see the bright blue cloud-covered package sitting right in the middle of our front porch. Great. BigBrother doesn’t miss anything. What to do, what to do. I then decided to risk having Child Protective Services called on me. I stopped the car in front of my neighbors house, hoping our apple tree was still blocking BigBrother’s full view. I explained I had to run up to the house very quickly. I got out, locked the vehicle, ran to the house (yes, dear readers, I ran in Mary Jane flats in the mud and muck of December), unlocked the door, grabbed the huge box and tried to block Buzz and Woody’s smiling face from BigBrother’s watchful eyes, ran down the steps, threw it into the garage side, shut that door, ran up the stairs, ran out the door, shut it and ran back to the truck.

Did I mention it is really cold out today? Talk about burning lungs. Wow.

I was, of course, met with 20 Questions. Four year old children ask lots of questions. Red Pen Mama warned me about this and, man, was she ever right.

BigBrother: What was that?
Me: Oh, I don’t know.
BigBrother: Why did you run?
Me: Sometimes I like to run. Don’t you like to run?
BigBrother: But what was it?
Me: *putting the truck in drive and making our way into our driveway* Did you see what it was?
BigBrother: No, that’s why I asked.
Me: It was nothing.
BigBrother: OH LOOK! WE HAVE MAIL!

I purposefully left another box (Amazon) that UPS had delivered with the offending bike box in hopes that it would distract my Inquisitor. It did. VICTORY IS MINE! He happily got out of the truck, picked up the Amazon box, shook it and forgot all about his brief abandonment in front of the neighbor’s house along with watching his mother run which was surely something he had never seen before. (Broken ankle in high school. Running is not my forte.)

And so, the bike is in the house. It’s also now out of the garage and put in the Super Secret Present Storage Area which is really just a storage room but it works for now. I was delighted that it finally arrived, being the only present that I really held out to get a good deal on (and I didn’t even have to wake up at 5:00 in the morning or stand in long lines; I win). I do wish, of course, that manufacturers would put things like this in unmarked boxes. Or, for that matter, that online stores offered a warning at checkout: THE SHIPPING PACKAGING OF THIS ITEM WILL RUIN YOUR CHRISTMAS SURPRISE. PLEASE BE ADVISED. I am just ever-so-thankful that my mother-in-law let me know the bike was at a brick-and-mortar store and that I took the time to check it out. Otherwise I would have pulled all the way into our driveway today, BigBrother would have seen this…

… and said, “SANTA WAS HERE!”

All worrying and running aside, I’m so excited. I can hardly wait to see their faces on Christmas morning!

Buzz and Woody Were Waiting on my Front Porch is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

Because the memories of last year are enough to keep me inside for as long as possible today.*

I don’t like the way that today’s deals make people act, both those in search of the deals and those working at the stores. While I didn’t engage in any pushing, shoving, shouting or other such nastiness last year, I watched it happen. It made me sick to my stomach and really upset me. Those things are not what this season is about for my family. Those are not the reasons that FireDad and I exchanged vows a week before Christmas five years ago. The hope, love and general spirit of the season are things that this family rejoices in, not the overt commercialism.

Not that I don’t love a good deal. I do. In fact, I really, really love a good deal. But not on Black Friday.

Growing up, the day after Thanksgiving was about decorating for Christmas. And leftovers. And Christmas music. And annoying each other since everyone was home from work and school. And more leftovers. And pie! I want that for my household as well. Some may argue that they do those things after they go out and do some early morning shopping. That early morning shopping last year ruined my whole day. I don’t want that.

While I said, last year, that I’d cave and go back out this year if The Store That Has Everything From Power Wheels to Eggnog had $88 Power Wheels again (they did), FireDad and I discussed that there’s no world in which a four year old and a two year old need a tricycle, a bicycle AND a Power Wheels in one sitting. The former two are arriving from Santa. The latter would be overkill. And so, once again, no Power Wheels. The world didn’t end after that decision or after I woke up well after the shopping kicked off this morning. My children will continue to live life, without a Power Wheels, and all will be well.

And so, Black Friday shoppers, enjoy your sale prices. You won’t have to push, shove or otherwise assault me in order to get your deals. To those that also hate confrontation but are braving it all the same, I send you my best. I’ll stay home, warm in my pajamas, and enjoy the fact that I am neither cold nor rushed and not even upset about a missed deal. Because there’s always more pie.

* = I do have to go to the bank today and I have to shoot the basketball game tonight so I do have to leave the house but hope to avoid any insanity.

Why I Prefer Pajamas to Black Friday Shopping is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

But I did manage to get some food shots. You see, BigBrother has been wanting to make pumpkin pie for weeks. But then we got the flu and it kind of fell by the wayside. With today being Thanksgiving, I figured we’d make a pumpkin pie together. Last night we got together in the kitchen, after I already had the crust made, rolled, fought with and placed in the pie pan, and made a pie together. Our pumpkin pie has no cinnamon (I’m allergic) and is actually a maple pumpkin pie.  BigBrother had a blast. Truth be told, so did I.

To prove that I was involved, FireDad snapped a picture. Thanks, hon!

He looks awfully smug, doesn’t he? So proud of himself! I’m proud of him, too.

Recipe is a variation on this Real Simple one, sans cinnamon due to my allergy and cloves due to my distaste for their very existence. Our maple syrup is Gramps’ homemade maple syrup so, of course, ours is better than any variation you will make. It is heavenly.

Somewhere in between the last two pictures I managed to spill the pie out of the crust and pan and onto the bottom of my oven. The spilling also caused the crust on that side to burn. Knowing that it would, I ran to the store and picked up some Reddi-Whip which I plan to use so that my Great-Grandmother doesn’t see my pie snafu. Also, I picked up wine on my quick outing. See?

The big bottle in the back is for today to share over dessert with my enormous family. The small bottle in front was for me to test last night (as my favorite brand wasn’t available in a big bottle). You know, just in case it wasn’t going to be good, I had to have a glass last night. I took one for the team. (Moscato is my favorite.)

Next week’s You Capture challenge is to tell a story. I have something in mind. We’ll see if I remember to do it or not!

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Food (and wine) aside, I’m very thankful today, of all days, to be where I am, who I am and with those in my life. Our life may be busy and hectic at times but that in itself is a blessing. I am thankful for the three amazing men who live under this room. I am thankful for an amazing Munchkin and the people who love and care for her on a daily basis. I am thankful for my friends, both here in Ohio and back home in Pennsylvania, who bring sanity and laughs to my life. I am thankful for my blog friends who encourage, challenge and generally make my life awesome. I am thankful for so many, many things.

I hope that you are able to be thankful today as well!

Happy Thanksgiving from the FireFamily!

You Capture: Food (& Thanks) is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.

The day we chose was the only available weekend day in a month and a half period. Even still, we had to push our party back an hour because they were decorating the building for Christmas earlier that day.

I’m glad I called the first week of June to reserve the hall for the weekend before Thanksgiving even if people laughed at me.

It’s difficult. Having the boys’ birthdays a week apart (almost to the minute) is difficult enough. (And nearer to their birthday party, I’ll discuss why I’ve decided to go with one party for the time being.) However, having their birthdays fall so close to Thanksgiving (which, of course, is close enough to Christmas as it is) requires a lot of early planning. Last year, to make matters more difficult, we had to deal with a family members’ wedding which limited our days to throw the party down to one. I had three to choose from this year. Only one worked with the only affordable hall in our area that holds our large extended families and closest friends.

I’ve learned a few things over the years about throwing a birthday party so close to the holiday season.

1. Look at your calendar about six months in advance and find what days work best for those whose attendance is necessary. For our family that means picking a weekend day (so more people in the family can travel and attend) on which FireDad does not work at the fire department (as his attendance is necessary).

2. Book your location early. If someone makes fun of you for doing so, ignore them. You don’t need to order the cake in July but you might want to make the calls regarding location. Remember that people throw parties for their businesses, families and other groups during the holiday time. Halls, restaurants and other party locations fill up quickly. Booking early ensures that you will get your choice of date. For us, as we live in a small city with a limited number of options, it’s basically mandatory. Some argue that larger cities can wait until September or October to call. However, remember that while larger cities have more venues, they also have more people planning said parties. Play it safe.

3. Once you have picked a date that works for those whose attendance is necessary and works with the location you have chosen, don’t change it. Things are going to come up. People are not going to be able to attend because of conflicts. Something might come up that a necessary attendee might prefer to do than endure the noise level of a child’s birthday party. Too bad. Send out an email to those you care to invite and warn them of the date. Stick to it.

4. Make a list and start buying gifts early. I just recently made the boys’ birthday present list (and am working on the Christmas list). I will start purchasing one gift with each pay through either the days themselves or the gifts are finally purchased. This saves money in the end as I don’t go off list too much and I can avoid the last minute tendency to over purchase. Also, with the economy looking the way it does right now, having gifts purchased early could be really beneficial if something was to happen to our income. (I’ll tell you later what we’re buying for a four year old boy and a two year old boy.)

5. Send the physical invitations with a month’s notice. Even though you may have emailed those most important to you about the date well in advance, reminding them with the physical invitation with enough notice is still necessary. Having something to stick on the fridge is much more likely to be remembered than an email in their inbox, lost among a sea of other “important” things. Include an RSVP date on your invitations. Hopefully people will actually remember to do so!

6. When the party rolls around, don’t be upset if people can’t attend. Our party, as an example, is the weekend before Thanksgiving. Those who are planning on traveling four days later for the turkey eating holiday might not be able to travel to the boys’ birthday. Money being what it is (have you seen the gas prices lately?), I will understand if people can’t cough up the money to drive on in twice in a week. It will be okay in the end.

Planning a birthday party around the holidays can be frustrating. I’ve learned to ignore the people who make fun of me and accuse me of over-planning. My birthday parties aren’t lavish affairs. I don’t rent bounce houses or bring in clowns. We make the food ourselves (but not the cake because I have no talent in that area). But I do try my hardest to make it an enjoyable day for my children and those that matter most to our family. Part of that process is starting the planning early enough so that a party can actually take place.

As such, November 22nd should be a lovely day for our sons. Loud, sure. But fun. (Buzz & Woody theme going on! You know you want to be there!)

Planning a Birthday Party Close to the Holidays is a post from Stop, Drop and Blog. Want more of Stop, Drop and Blog? Like our page on Facebook! If you have questions, contact me or hit me up via twitter.